Reverend Paul Nomellini
KINGSFORD — Reverend Paul Nomellini, 83, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 10, 2020, at his residence in Kingsford. He was born on May 10, 1937, in Hancock, Mich., son of the late Paul and Doris (Ross) Nomellini. He graduated from Hancock High School with the Class of 1955. While attending Suomi College, now Finlandia University, he worked for the J. C. Penney Store in Houghton, Mich. He received a bachelor of arts degree in education from St. Edward’s University, Austin, Texas. He received a master of science degree from Butler University, Indianapolis, Ind., with a major in guidance and counseling. He had extensive experience in assisting individuals in the treatment of alcoholism. On August 16, 1961, he pronounced his First Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience at St. Joseph’s Novitiate, Rolling Prairie, Ind. He served the Church as a Holy Cross Brother, teaching at the high school level in Chicago for 13 years prior to hearing the call to the priesthood. Father Nomellini attended Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, MA, from 1973 to 1976.
He was ordained to the priesthood on July 1, 1977, by Most Reverend Charles A. Salatka at the Church of the Resurrection, Hancock, Mich.. After ordination, he was assigned as Assistant Pastor at St. Peter Cathedral, Marquette. In 1978, he was assigned as Chaplain to Lake Superior State College, Sault Ste. Marie, and as Assistant Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Sault Ste. Marie. In 1980, he served as Administrator of Nativity Parish, Sault Ste. Marie. In 1981, he was appointed Assistant Pastor, St. Mary & St. Joseph, Iron Mountain, as well as Ordinary Confessor to the Carmelite Community, Iron Mountain. In 1983, he was appointed Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Rudyard, and Holy Family Mission, Barbeau. In 1986, Father Nomellini was appointed Pastor, St. Michael Parish, Marquette. Father Nomellini took a leave of absence in 1988 to teach at St. Edward’s School, Cleveland, Ohio. In 1989, Father Nomellini returned to the diocese and was appointed as temporary administrator of St. Mary & St. Joseph Parish, Iron Mountain. Later that year, Father Nomellini was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Schaffer, St. Michael Parish, Perronville, and St. Joseph Mission, Foster City. Father Nomellini was appointed as pastor, St. George Parish, Bark River, in 1990. In 1993, he was appointed Pastor, St. Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Kingsford, as well as Ordinary Confessor to the Carmelite Community, Iron Mountain. He continued to serve at St. Mary Queen of Peace Parish, Kingsford, until July 1, 2002, when he was granted senior priest status. He served as Chaplain of the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Serra Club and was a member of the St. Joseph Association Board after his retirement. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and served as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, Council 01585, Iron Mountain-Kingsford, Mich.
He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Pera; her children, Brian (Jennifer) Pera and their son, Alex Pera, and Julie (Rick) Rickard and their daughter, Alyssa (Tyler) Roose; a brother, Ross (Vickie Salo) Nomellini; his brother-in-law, James Zip Parker and his children, Jason (Andrea Felke) and their daughters, Carolyn, Jillian and Addilynn and Joy (Parker) Laitinen (Eric) and their children, Parker and Ashley Laitinen; as well as many cousins.
Father was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Leno and Doris Marie (Ross) Nomellini; his younger sister, Delores “Lori” (Nomellini) Parker; and brother-in-law, Dennis Pera.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be scheduled in May, 2021. Further details will be announced at a later date. He will be laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery, Houghton, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Father Nomellini’s name may be made to the St. Joseph Association (the priests’ retirement fund) of the Diocese of Marquette.
Condolences to the family of Reverend Paul Nomellini may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.